It's no wonder Hasse Alfredsson figures his oldest son should be able to do whatever he wants on a sheet of ice.

Last time he was here, Daniel pretty much did.

When his parents visited from Sweden over the Christmas season, the Senators captain presented them with a brilliant display of how his skills were evolving.

From Dec. 23 to Jan. 18, Alfredsson led the Senators to 10 wins in 13 games by scoring 10 goals and 13 assists. He also was a plus-15.

In the three games before that span, he posted just two assists. In the three games after it, he went pointless.

Alfredsson will be able to give Hasse and Margareta an update on his game -- and show them why he's the leading candidate to claim the Conn Smythe Trophy -- in person soon enough:

Dad and mom are returning to North America on Sunday, just in time to watch the Senators drive for the Stanley Cup against the Anaheim Ducks.

"Usually they come once a year or every other Christmas and it's always fun for me," Alfredsson said yesterday. "Being from the other side of the ocean and having family here, especially in the finals ... this is the biggest stage in hockey. For them to be here to share it with me is really nice."

For all the personal instruction he received while growing up, Alfredsson says his father, a coach, now tells him to be creative and entertaining, to do things like dropping the puck into his skates and kicking it back to his stick to get around defenders.

When Daniel tells his dad, "I can't do that, this is the NHL", Hasse responds, "Why can't you do that? Quit playing then."

Of course, he's not exactly serious with that bit of advice.

"He only tells me to play like I did as a junior, to go out and have fun and enjoy it," said Alfredsson. "I tell him it's not that easy, to go out and deke 15 guys every shift.

"He loves watching guys like (Mike) Comrie and Joe Corvo making those nifty plays. He enjoys the game. That's what he loves to see."

Hasse would also love to see Daniel lift two pieces of hardware symbolizing excellence in the world's best hockey league before he returns to Sweden.